STRATEGIC PRIORITY: Transportation & Infrastructure
AGENDA DATE: October 23, 2024
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S): 1, 4
DEPARTMENT: Department of Transportation and Public Works
EXECUTIVE: Dev Rastogi
______________________________________________________________________
SUBJECT
Title
Authorize an Advance Funding Agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation for federal funding for a Category 10 project (Agreement No. CSJ 0918-47-485, Assistance Listing No. 20.205) in the estimated amount of $10,476,100.00, which includes $10,000,000.00 in Federal participation for engineering and direct state costs, $476,100.00 in State participation for indirect state costs, and the City of Dallas’ portion covered by the use of 2,000,000 regional Transportation Development Credits in lieu of a local cash match) for the preparation of preliminary engineering documents (including design schematic, environmental documents, and public involvement) and plans, specifications, and estimates for the foundational structural, safety, multimodal transportation, and hardscape elements to expand the deck park on Interstate Highway 35E from Marsalis Avenue to Ewing Avenue in the City of Dallas - Financing: This action has no cost consideration to the City (see Fiscal Information for potential future costs)
Body
BACKGROUND
The Southern Gateway Public Green project aims to create a vibrant, urban green space constructed on a deck structure over R. L. Thornton Freeway (Interstate Highway 35E), commonly referred to as a deck park. The park serves to reconnect communities south of downtown Dallas that were separated years ago by the construction of the original freeway. The reconnected communities will include the Dallas Zoo, the 10th Street Historic District, the DART Zoo Station, and several other residential and commercial areas. The park also provides an opportunity to improve mobility and safety for the surrounding community and encourage economic development.
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is leading implementation of the project, which is being designed in partnership with the Southern Gateway Public Green Foundation. The project is being completed in two phases. Phase 1 of the project constructed the deck structure between Ewing Avenue and Lancaster Avenue, approximately half of the total length of the park. Phase 2 of the project will cover the full length by expanding the deck plaza from Ewing Avenue to Marsalis Avenue.
The City of Dallas desires to enter into an Advance Funding Agreement (AFA) with TxDOT for the preparation of preliminary engineering documents (including design schematic, environmental documents, and public involvement) and plans, specifications, and estimates for Phase 2 of the project.
Preliminary engineering for Phase 2 is funded 100 percent with Federal sources, and the use of 2,000,000 regional Transportation Development Credits (“TDCs”) will serve as the City’s participation in lieu of a local cash match.
TDCs are a financial accounting tool approved by the Federal Highway Administration permitting the use of federal funding without the requirement of a cash match. These credits are non-cash credits allocated to States as a representative value to account for toll road and tolled managed lanes that benefit the federal system.
This action will authorize an AFA with TxDOT for preliminary engineering for Phase 2 of the project utilizing a combination of federal funding and TDCs.
ESTIMATED SCHEDULE OF PROJECT
Begin Design January 2025
Complete Design June 2026
PRIOR ACTION/REVIEW (COUNCIL, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS)
On June 28, 2017, the City Council authorized (1) an AFA with TxDOT for the design-build of the Southern Gateway Public Green deck structure for Phase 1 and foundations for both Phase 1 and Phase 2; (2) an Operation and Maintenance Agreement with TxDOT for Southern Gateway Public Green; (3) an Airspace Lease Agreement with TxDOT for the use of the surface area and airspace over IH 35E corridor from Marsalis Avenue to Ewing Avenue for the Southern Gateway Public Green; and (4) a Memorandum of Understanding with the RTC regarding the use of TDCs to cover the local match commitment for the Southern Gateway Public Green by Resolution No. 17-1053.
On January 24, 2018, the City Council authorized payment to TxDOT for the City’s local match portion for the construction of the Southern Gateway Public Green infrastructure over IH-35E in an amount not to exceed $7,077,600.00, by Resolution No. 18-0195.
On February 24, 2021, the City Council authorized Amendment No. 1 to the AFA with TxDOT for the design-build of the Southern Gateway Public Green structure to allocate additional Surface Transportation Block Grant funds and apply them to the project by Resolution No. 21-0394.
FISCAL INFORMATION
This action has no cost consideration to the City. The City will be responsible for operation and maintenance of the tunnel elements which will be incorporated into the Department of Transportation and Public Works annual maintenance budget. The Southern Gateway Public Green Foundation will be responsible for operation and maintenance of the deck elements, including the green space.
MAP
Attached